L-R: Host Rich Kremer, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living of Western Wisconsin, President and CEO of Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children Stacy Wigfield, Chair of "The A Team' and concerned parent Mort Sipress

Sheltered Work versus Independent Work for People with Disabilities

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The debate over sheltered work versus integrated, competitive workplaces for persons with disabilities was featured on The West Side. Guests discussed proposed changes to the current system within which disabled individuals work in a subminimum wage setting, referred to as a sheltered work environment, funded through Medicaid. The changes would eliminate funding for sheltered workplaces and move them toward competitive and integrated workplaces. Guests included Stacy Wigfield, president and CEO of Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children (REACH), Inc. and Mort Sipress, a concerned parent of a cognitively disabled daughter, both support the current system. Also joining the show will be Tim Sheehan, executive director of the Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin, which advocates placing disabled people into standard business settings.

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